Having trouble staying within your gift budget for the holidays? Free up some cash by finding gifts that don’t cost anything! Often, these gifts are more beloved to friends and family members than a gift certificate or a generic gift basket since they require you to put time and effort into the gift. So before you head to the store, check out these ideas and see who you can knock off your list.

The holidays bring many happy and joyous things. Even shopping for holiday gifts can be fun and exciting. It’s all in good fun until the credit card bills start rolling in. The credit card fog is one that can hang on for years to come unless you learn how to curb the holiday spending hangover before it occurs.

Christmas is 5 ½ months away, but it’s not too early to start saving. Planning your holiday spending in advance can take some of the stress out of Christmas, because you won’t be worried about the credit card bill you know is coming in January. It takes a little time, and a little more discipline, but planning ahead will pay off. And we’re going to help you do it.